Display Device

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a display device. The display device includes a display panel, which includes a display area and a non-display area surrounding the display area, and a panel driver connected to the display panel in the non-display area of the display panel. The display panel includes an outer substrate configured to include a gate line and a data line that intersect with each other, an inner substrate coupled to a bottom of the outer substrate, and a reflection reduction member formed on the outer substrate to overlap at least one selected from the gate line and the data line, and configured to reduce a reflectivity of external light by a line.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/321,445 filed on Jul. 1, 2014, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/841,858, filed on Jul. 1, 2013, andKorean Patent Application No. 10-2014-0055034, filed on May 8, 2014,which are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a display device, and moreparticularly, to a display device with a minimized thickness and anenhanced aesthetic appearance.

Discussion of the Related Art

As society advances to the information-oriented society, display devicesthat display a massive amount of information are rapidly advancing. Inparticular, liquid crystal display (LCD) devices or organic lightemitting display devices (which are flat panel display devices havingexcellent performance in terms of thinning, lightening, and low powerconsumption) are being practically applied.

In the LCD devices, active matrix LCD devices include an array substrateincluding a thin film transistor (TFT) that is a switching element foradjusting turn-on/off of a voltage for each pixel, and have an excellentability to realize a resolution and a moving image. Therefore, theactive matrix LCD devices are attracting much attention.

Moreover, the organic light emitting display devices are self-emittingdevices that has a characteristic in which luminance is high and anoperating voltage is low, and self-emits light. The organic lightemitting display devices have a high contrast ratio (C/R), a thinthickness, low-temperature stability, and a low driving voltage, andhave a response time of microsecond (μs), thereby easily displaying amoving image. Also, a driving circuit for the organic light emittingdisplay devices is easily manufactured and designed. Therefore, theorganic light emitting display devices are attracting much attention asflat panel display devices.

Various remedies are being needed in order for display devices to appealto more consumers. Particularly, a thickness of a display device isminimized, and research is increasingly conducted on a design with anenhanced aesthetic appearance that can induce consumers to buy byappealing to the consumers' sense of beauty.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a general display device.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the general display device includes a displaypanel 10 including a lower substrate 12 and an upper substrate 14, apanel driver 20, and a top case 30.

The lower substrate 12 includes a plurality of gate lines and aplurality of data lines which intersect with each other to define aplurality of pixel areas, a TFT formed in each of the plurality of pixelareas, and a pixel electrode connected to the TFT.

The upper substrate 14 includes a color filter, and is facing-coupled tothe lower substrate 12. A portion of the lower substrate 12 is exposedto the outside for applying signals to the gate lines and the data lineswhich are formed on the lower substrate 12. To this end, a partial areaof the lower substrate 12 is not coupled to the upper substrate 14. Thepanel driver 20 is connected to a pad part formed at an edge of thelower substrate 12 which is not coupled to the upper substrate 14, andtransfer the signals to the gate lines and the data lines through thepad part.

The top case 30 is provided to cover a front edge and each side of thedisplay panel 10. The top case 30 is applied for preventing the paneldriver 20, connected to the pad part of the lower substrate 12, frombeing exposed to the outside.

Since the top case 30 is provided to cover the front edge of the displaypanel 10 so as to prevent the panel driver 20 from being exposed, thegeneral display device has the following problems.

First, since the top case 30 is provided on the upper substrate 14, athickness of the display device increases, and due to a step heightbetween the top case 30 and the display panel 10, a stepped portion isformed at a front surface of the display device. For this reason, asense of beauty in design is reduced.

Second, a bezel width of the display device increases due to a frontwidth of the top case 30 that prevents the panel driver 20 from beingexposed, causing a reduction in a sense of beauty in design.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to provide a displaydevice that substantially obviates one or more problems due tolimitations and disadvantages of the related art.

An aspect of the present invention is directed to provide a displaydevice with a minimized thickness and an enhanced aesthetic appearance.

Another aspect of the present invention is directed to provide a displaydevice in which visual characteristic can be improved because externallight is reflected by a metal line.

Another aspect of the present invention is directed to provide a displaydevice in which static electricity applied from the outside is easilyremoved, and visual characteristic can be improved because externallight is reflected.

In addition to the aforesaid objects of the present invention, otherfeatures and advantages of the present invention will be describedbelow, but will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art fromdescriptions below.

Additional advantages and features of the invention will be set forth inpart in the description which follows and in part will become apparentto those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of thefollowing or may be learned from practice of the invention. Theobjectives and other advantages of the invention may be realized andattained by the structure particularly pointed out in the writtendescription and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purposeof the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there isprovided a display device including a display panel, which includes adisplay area and a non-display area surrounding the display area, and apanel driver connected to the display panel in the non-display area ofthe display panel, the display panel including: an outer substrateconfigured to include a gate line and a data line that intersect witheach other; an inner substrate coupled to a bottom of the outersubstrate; and a reflection reduction member formed on the outersubstrate to overlap at least one selected from the gate line and thedata line, and configured to reduce a reflectivity of external light bya line.

The reflection reduction member may include a non-reflective conductivepattern formed on a top of the outer substrate, and configured tooverlap at least one selected from the gate line and the data line to beconnected to each other.

The non-reflective conductive pattern may be formed in a stackedstructure including an oxide layer and a metal layer.

The oxide layer may be formed of Zn, In, or Sn-based oxide.

The metal layer may be formed of one metal material selected from Cu,Mo, Ti, Mo/Ti, and Cr.

The reflection reduction member may further include a protective layerformed on the top of the outer substrate to cover the non-reflectiveconductive pattern.

The protective layer may be formed of a single layer formed of SiNx, orthe protective layer may be formed of a multilayer that includes aninsulating layer formed of SiNx and a conductive layer formed ofconductive oxide.

The display device may further include an electricity removing layerformed on the top of the outer substrate to cover the reflectionreduction member.

The reflection reduction member may be formed between the outersubstrate and one selected from the gate line and the data line.

The reflection reduction member may be formed of one material selectedfrom a black material, polyamide, and a light-absorbing material.

The display device may further include a blocking layer formed on aninner surface of the outer substrate to cover the reflection reductionmember, wherein the blocking layer electrically insulates the gate lineand the data line from the reflection reduction member.

The reflection reduction member may be formed in a stacked structureincluding two or more layers which include an oxide layer and a metallayer.

The reflection reduction member may be formed of a semitransparentmaterial, and the gate line may include first and second metal layersformed of different materials on the reflection reduction member.

The display device may further include an electricity removing layerformed on the top of the outer substrate.

The electricity removing layer may be formed of one material selectedfrom a transparent metal oxide material, a transparent organicconductive material, and indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO), or theelectricity removing layer may be formed of a multilayer including atransparent conductive layer and a protective layer.

The display device may further include an upper polarization memberformed on the top of the outer substrate, wherein the upper polarizationmember includes an electricity removing film, which includes anelectricity removing layer, and a polarizing film that polarizes light.

The display device may further include: an edge sealing member formed ateach of sides of the display panel; and a panel supporting partconfigured to include an external cover that surrounds each side of thedisplay panel, in which the edge sealing member is formed, withoutprotruding to a front surface of the display panel.

The edge sealing member may include a conductive member, andelectrically connects the outer cover to at least one selected from thereflection reduction member and the electricity removing layer.

The edge sealing member may cover an upper edge of the reflectionreduction member or an upper edge of the electricity removing layer.

The display device may further include a conductive strap configured toelectrically connect the outer cover to at least one selected from thereflection reduction member and the electricity removing layer, whereinone side of the conductive strap is covered by the edge sealing member,and the other of the conductive strap is electrically connected to aninner surface of the external cover through the edge sealing member.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description of the present invention areexemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide furtherexplanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this application, illustrate embodiments of the invention andtogether with the description serve to explain the principle of theinvention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a general display device;

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a display device according to a firstembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-IF of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion A of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view for describing a reflection reductionmember of FIGS. 3 and 4;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are views respectively illustrating examples anon-reflection conductive pattern in a reflection reduction memberaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display panel in adisplay device according to a second embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 is a view for describing another example of an electricityremoving layer of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display panel in adisplay device according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display panel in adisplay device according to a fourth embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display panel in adisplay device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a view for describing destructive interference caused byreflection light of a gate line and a reflection reduction memberillustrated in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display panel in adisplay device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention;and

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display panel and anexternal cover in a display device according to a seventh embodiment ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be usedthroughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

The terms described in the specification should be understood asfollows.

As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. The terms “first” and “second” are for differentiating oneelement from the other element, and these elements should not be limitedby these terms.

It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising,”,“has”, “having”, “includes” and/or “including”, when used herein,specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations,elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence oraddition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations,elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

The term “at least one” should be understood as including any and allcombinations of one or more of the associated listed items. For example,the meaning of “at least one of a first item, a second item, and a thirditem” denotes the combination of all items proposed from two or more ofthe first item, the second item, and the third item as well as the firstitem, the second item, or the third item.

The term “on” should be construed as including a case where one elementis formed at a top of another element and moreover a case where a thirdelement is disposed therebetween.

Hereinafter, a display device according to embodiments of the presentinvention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanyingdrawings.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a display device according to a firstembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional viewtaken along line I-I′ of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view takenalong line II-II′.

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, the display device according to the firstembodiment of the present invention includes: a display panel 100 thatincludes a display area AA and a non-display area NA surrounding thedisplay area AA; a backlight unit 200 that irradiates light onto thedisplay panel 100; a panel driver 300 that is connected to the displaypanel 100 in the non-display area NA of the display panel 100; and apanel supporting part 400 that accommodates the backlight unit 200 andthe panel driver 300, and surrounds a rear surface and four sides of thedisplay panel 100 without protruding to a front surface of the displaypanel 100.

The display panel 100 includes an outer substrate 110, an innersubstrate 120, a reflection reduction member 130, an upper polarizationmember 140, and a lower polarization member 150.

The outer substrate 110 is a thin film transistor (TFT) array substrate,and includes the display area AA and the non-display area NA surroundingthe display area AA.

The display area AA of the outer substrate 110 includes a plurality ofpixels which are respectively formed in a plurality of pixel areasprovided by intersections between a plurality of gate lines (not shown)and a plurality of data lines (not shown). Each of the plurality ofpixels includes a TFT connected to a gate line and a data line, a pixelelectrode connected to the TFT, and a common electrode that is formedadjacent to the pixel electrode and receives a common voltage. Thecommon electrode may be formed on the inner substrate 120 instead of theouter substrate 110 depending on a driving mode of a liquid crystallayer. The outer substrate 110 generates an electric field correspondingto a difference voltage between the common voltage and a data voltageapplied to each pixel to adjust a light transmittance of the liquidcrystal layer.

The non-display area NA of the outer substrate 110 may be defined as anedge area of the outer substrate 110 which surrounds upper, lower, left,and right sides of the display area AA, and may include a pad part PPand a gate driving circuit (not shown).

The pad part may be provided at one side edge of the outer substrate110, and may include a plurality of pads that are connected to aplurality of signal lines, for example, a plurality of data lines, aplurality of gate control signal lines, and a plurality of power lines.

The gate driving circuit is provided at one side of short side or bothnon-display areas NA of the outer substrate 110 at the same time with aprocess of manufacturing the TFT of each pixel, connected to theplurality of gate lines formed in the display area AA, and connected tothe pad part PP through the gate control signal lines. The gate drivingcircuit generates a gate signal (or a scan signal) according to a gatecontrol signal which is supplied from the panel driver 300 through thepad part PP and the gate control signal line, and supplies the gatesignal to a corresponding gate line.

The inner substrate 120 is a color filter array substrate, and is formedto have a relatively smaller area than that of the outer substrate 110.The inner substrate 120 is facing-coupled to a bottom of the outersubstrate 110 except the pad part PP of the outer substrate with theliquid crystal layer (not shown) therebetween by a substrate couplingmember (115 in FIG. 6).

The inner substrate 120 includes a light blocking layer (not shown),which is formed at an edge of the inner substrate 120 and defines apixel area corresponding to each pixel formed on the outer substrate110, and a color filter layer (not shown) that is formed in each pixel.The light blocking layer may be formed on the inner substrate 120 so asto define the pixel area. However, a function of the light blocking maybe performed by the reflection reduction member 130 formed on the outersubstrate 110, and thus, the light blocking layer may not be provided.The color filter layer filters light, which is incident from thebacklight unit through the inner substrate 120 and the liquid crystallayer, to color light.

The reflection reduction member 130 reduces a reflectivity of externallight by a metal line formed at an inner surface of the outer substrate110, and removes static electricity applied from the outside, therebyenhancing visual characteristic shown in the display panel 100 andpreventing a quality of an image from being degraded due to the staticelectricity. For example, the reflection reduction member 130 mayinclude a non-reflection conductive pattern that is formed of aconductive material on the outer substrate 110, and overlaps at leastone selected from a gate line and a data line so as to be connected toeach other. For example, the non-reflection conductive pattern may beformed in a grid pattern form, in which the non-reflection conductivepattern overlaps the gate line, or a lattice pattern form in which thenon-reflection conductive pattern overlaps the gate line and the dataline.

The upper polarization member 140 is adhered to the outer substrate 110so as to cover the reflection reduction member 130. The upperpolarization member 140 according to an embodiment may include apolarizing film which is adhered to a top of the outer substrate 110,and polarizes light passing through the pixel area of the outersubstrate 110. The upper polarization member 140 according to anotherembodiment may include an upper polarizing film, which is adhered to thetop of the outer substrate 110 and polarizes the light passing throughthe pixel area of the outer substrate 110, and a retarder film which isadhered to the upper polarizing film, and separates a three-dimensional(3D) image (i.e., a left image and a right image), displayed by thedisplay panel 100, into different polarization states.

The lower polarizing member 150 may include a lower polarizing film thatpolarizes a light which is incident from the backlight unit 200 onto theinner substrate 120.

The backlight unit 200 is accommodated in the panel supporting part 400,and irradiates light onto the display panel 100. To this end, thebacklight unit 200 includes a light guide panel 210, a light source 220,a reflective sheet 230, and an optical sheet member 240.

The light guide panel 210 is formed in a flat (or wedge) shape, andtravels light, which is incident through a light incident surface fromthe light source 220, to the display panel 100.

The light source 220 is disposed to face the light incident surface thatis provided on at least one side of the light guide panel 210, andirradiates the light onto the light guide panel 210. In this case, thelight source 220 may include a fluorescent lamp or a light emittingdiode (LED).

The reflective sheet 230 is disposed at a bottom of the light guidepanel 210, and reflects the light, which is incident from the lightguide panel 210, to the display panel 100. The reflective sheet 230 maybe disposed to support the bottom of the light guide panel 210, or maysupport the bottom of the light guide panel 210 and surround sides otherthan the light incident surface of the light guide panel 210.

The optical sheet member 240 is disposed on the light guide panel 210,and enhances a luminance characteristic of the light which travels fromthe light guide panel 210 to the display panel 100. To this end, theoptical sheet member 240 may include at least one diffusive sheet, whichdiffuses the light, and at least one prism sheet that collects thediffused light, or may include a complex functional sheet thatsimultaneously diffuses and collects the light.

The panel driver 300 is connected to the pad part PP which is providedon the outer substrate 110 of the display panel 100, and allows atwo-dimensional (2D) image based on a 2D display mode and a 3D imagebased on a 3D display mode to be displayed in the display area AA of thedisplay panel 100. For example, the panel driver 300 includes aplurality of flexible circuit films 310 connected to the pad part PP, adata driving integrated circuit (IC) mounted on each of the plurality offlexible circuit films 310, a printed circuit board (PCB) 330 connectedto the plurality of flexible circuit films 310, and a driving circuitunit 340 mounted on the PCB 330.

Each of the plurality of flexible circuit films 310 is adhered to thepad part PP and the PCB 330, and may include a tape carrier package(TCP) or a chip on flexible board (or a chin on film (COF). Each of theplurality of flexible circuit films 310 is bent from the pad part PP, isaccommodated in the panel supporting part 400, and is not exposed to afront surface and sides of the pad part PP. In this case, each of theplurality of flexible circuit films 310 may be connected to the pad partPP by a reverse bonding process, for preventing the bent flexiblecircuit film 310 from protruding in a side direction of the outersubstrate 110 or from contacting a side wall of the panel supportingpart 400. Here, according to the reverse bonding process, an end of theflexible circuit film 310 adhered to the pad part PP is adhered moreadjacent to a side of the outer substrate 110 than a side of the innersubstrate 120, and a bending area of the flexible circuit film 310 isadhered more adjacent to the side of the inner substrate 120 than theside of the outer substrate 110, whereby the flexible circuit film 310is disposed apart from the outer substrate 110 in a direction from theside to the inside of the outer substrate 110. In order to prevent aconnection failure of the flexible circuit film 310 caused bypenetration of water and foreign materials, an end of the flexiblecircuit film 310 adjacent to the side of the outer substrate 110 may beprotected by a resin thin film 350.

A first and/or last flexible circuit film(s) 310 of the plurality offlexible circuit films 310 supplies/supply the gate control signal,input from the driving circuit unit 340, to corresponding pads of thepad part PP.

A data driving IC 320 is mounted on each of the plurality of flexiblecircuit films 310. The data driving IC 320 converts digital image data,which is input through the PCB 330 from the driving circuit 340, into adata voltage, and supplies the data voltage to a corresponding data linethrough the pad part PP.

The PCB 330 is electrically connected to other side of each of theplurality of flexible circuit films 310, and transfers a signal, whichis necessary for driving of the display panel 100, to a correspondingflexible circuit film 310.

The driving circuit part 340 is mounted on the PCB 330, and drives thedata driving IC 320 and the gate driving circuit. For example, thedriving circuit unit 340 includes a timing controller (not shown) thatcontrols driving of the data driving IC 320 and the gate driving circuitand supplies external digital image data to a corresponding data drivingIC 320, various power circuits (not shown), and a memory (not shown).

The panel supporting part 400 accommodates the backlight unit 200 andthe panel driver 300, and is coupled to a rear edge of the display panel100 in order for an entire front surface of the display panel 100 to beexposed to the outside. To this end, the panel supporting part 400includes a guide frame 410, a panel coupling member 420, a supportingcase 430, and an external cover 440.

The guide frame 410 is formed in a tetragonal frame shape so as tosupport the rear edge of the display panel 100, and is coupled to therear edge of the display panel 100 by the panel coupling member 420. Forexample, the guide frame 410 may include a panel coupling part 412 and aguide side wall 414. The panel coupling part 412 is coupled to the rearedge of the display panel 110 by the panel coupling member 420. Theguide side wall 414 is vertically formed at an outer edge of the panelcoupling part 412 so as to have a certain height, and supports the panelcoupling part 412.

The guide frame 410 may be divided into four or more sub-frames, and forexample, may be configured with a plurality of sub-frames which arecoupled to the display panel by the panel coupling member 420.

The panel coupling member 420 is provided at the panel coupling part 412of the guide frame 410, and connects the display panel 100 to the guideframe 410. In this case, the panel coupling member 420 may be coupled tothe inner substrate 120 of the display panel 100 in consideration of acoupling force and thicknesses of the guide frame 410 and the displaypanel 100, but is not limited thereto. For example, the panel couplingmember 420 may be coupled to the lower polarization member 150. Thepanel coupling member 420 may be formed of a double-sided tape, aheat-hardening adhesive, or a photocurable adhesive.

The supporting case 430 is formed in a U-shape to have an accommodatingspace. The supporting case 430 supports (or accommodates) the backlightunit 200, and supports the guide frame 410. For example, the supportingcase 430 may include a supporting plate 432 and a supporting side wall434. The supporting plate 432 is formed in a flat shape so as to cover arear surface of the display panel 100, and supports the backlight unit200. The supporting side wall 434 is vertically formed at an edge of thesupporting plate 432, allows an accommodating space to be provided onthe supporting plate 432, and supports the panel coupling part 412 ofthe guide frame 410. Optionally, the supporting case 430 may not beprovided for designing, lightening, and slimming of the display device.

The external cover 440 accommodates the supporting case 430, andsurrounds the guide frame 410 and the side of the display panel 100 inorder for the entire front surface of the display panel 100 to beexposed. The external cover 440 may be formed of a plastic material or ametal material, but may be formed of a metal material for enhancing anaesthetic appearance of a manufactured display device and/or adischarging path of static electricity applied to the display panel 100.For example, the external cover 440 includes a rear cover 442 and a sidecover 444.

The rear cover 442 configures the outermost rear surface of themanufactured display device, and supports the supporting case 430. Forexample, the rear cover 442 may be coupled to the supporting case 430 bya coupling (or bonding) method using a screw. Optionally, when thesupporting case 430 is not provided, the rear cover 442 supports thebacklight unit 200.

The side cover 444 configures the outermost side of the manufactureddisplay device, and is formed vertically from an edge of the rear cover442 to surround the guide frame 410 and the side of the display panel100. In this case, a height of the side cover 444 is set so that a topof the side cover 444 does not protrude onto the display panel, and moreparticularly, a front surface of the upper polarization member 140. Theside cover 444 may be coupled to a guide side wall 414 of the guideframe 410 by a coupling (or bonding) method using a hook, a screw, or arail using a groove and a projection.

The display device according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention may further include an edge sealing member 500 that protectseach side of the display panel 100, and discharges static electricity,applied to the display panel 100, to the panel supporting part 400.

The edge sealing member 500 is provided at each side of the displaypanel 100. For example, the edge sealing member 500 is provided at sidesother than a lower side of the display panel 100 (in which the pad partPP is provided) so as to cover a portion of a side of the upperpolarization member 140, a portion of a side of the inner substrate 120,an entire side of the outer substrate 110, and an entire side of thereflection reduction member 130. In addition, the edge sealing member500 is provided at the lower side of the display panel 100 (in which thepad part PP is provided) so as to cover a portion of the side of theupper polarization member 140, an entire side of the reflectionreduction member 130, and a portion of the side of the outer substrate110.

An upper corner of each side of the outer substrate 110 and each side ofthe reflection reduction member 130 have a first inclined plane IP1having a first slope, for increasing an adhesive area between the edgesealing member 500 and the display panel 100 and preventing the edgesealing member 500 from being stripped. Each side of the upperpolarization member 140 has a second inclined plane IP2, which isseparated by a certain distance from the first inclined plane IP1 andhas a second slope which is the same as or different from the firstslope, for exposing a top edge of the reflection reduction member 130 soas to increase an electrical connection area between the edge sealingmember 500 and the reflection reduction member 130 and to prevent theupper polarization member 140 from being stripped. Here, a lightblocking material may be formed at the first inclined plane IP1, forpreventing a side light leakage of the display panel 100 caused by thetotal internal reflection of the inner substrate 120.

The edge sealing member 500, as illustrated in FIG. 5, is electricallyconnected to a top edge (i.e., a portion between the first and secondinclined planes) of the reflection reduction member 130 (which is notcovered by the upper polarization member 140) and an entire side of thereflection reduction member 130, and electrically and physicallycontacts the side cover 444 of the external cover 440, therebydischarging static electricity SE, applied to the reflection reductionmember 130, to the panel supporting part 400 (more particularly, theside cover 444 of the external cover 440).

The edge sealing member 500 may be formed of a mixing material of aconductive member and an adhesive material such as a silicon-based orultraviolet (UV)-hardening sealant (or a resin). For example, theconductive member may be a conductive ball, a particle, or a nanowire,and may be formed of a conductive material such as gold (Au), silver(Ag), or copper (Cu). Also, the edge sealing member 500 may include acolored resin or a light blocking resin, for preventing a side lightleakage of the display panel 100 caused by the total internal reflectionof the inner substrate 120.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view for describing the reflection reductionmember of FIGS. 3 and 4.

Referring to FIG. 6, the reflection reduction member 130 according to anembodiment of the present invention includes a non-reflective conductivepattern 132 which is formed at a top of the outer substrate 110 so as tooverlap a metal line ML formed at the inner surface of the outersubstrate 110.

The non-reflective conductive pattern 132 may be formed of a conductivemetal material, and particularly, may be formed in a stacked structurehaving two or more layers including an oxide layer 132 a and a metallayer 132 b, for reducing reflectivity. For example, the non-reflectiveconductive pattern 132 may be formed in a two-layer structure having theoxide layer 132 a and the metal layer 132 b. As another example, thenon-reflective conductive pattern 132 may be formed in a three-layerstructure having a first metal layer, an oxide layer, and a second metallayer, in which case the first and second metal layers may be formed ofthe same material or different materials. As another example, thenon-reflective conductive pattern 132 may be formed in a three-layerstructure having a first oxide layer, a metal layer, and a second oxidelayer, in which case the first and second oxide layers may be formed ofthe same material or different materials. In the non-reflectiveconductive layer 132, the oxide layer 132 a may include Zn, In, orSn-based oxide, and the metal layer 132 b may include one selected fromCu, Mo, Ti, Mo/Ti, and Cr.

The non-reflective conductive pattern 132 may have black or a chromaticcolor depending on a metal material and a stacked structure. Forexample, when the non-reflective conductive pattern 132 is formed in atwo-layer structure having the metal layer of Mo/Ti and the oxide layer132 a of indium tin oxide (ITO), the non-reflective conductive pattern132 may have deep blue. As another example, when the non-reflectiveconductive pattern 132 has a three-layer structure including a firstmetal layer of Cu, an oxide layer of ITO, and a second metal layer ofMo/Ti, the non-reflective conductive pattern 132 may have black. Asdescribed above, when the non-reflective conductive pattern 132 has acolor, an entire edge of the display device has a specific color,thereby enhancing an aesthetic design of the display device.

Each of four sides of the non-reflective conductive pattern 132 may beformed to have the same third inclined plane IP3 as the first inclinedplane IP1 by using a chamfer process of forming the first inclined planeIP1 at a top corner of the outer substrate 110.

The non-reflective conductive pattern 132 according to an embodiment, asillustrated in FIG. 7A, may be formed at a top of the outer substrate110 so as to overlap with a gate line which is formed at the innersurface of the outer substrate 110. That is, the non-reflectiveconductive pattern 132 according to an embodiment includes: first tofourth conductive border patterns 132_E1, 132_E2, 132_E3 and 132_E4which are formed in a tetragonal frame shape so as to respectivelyoverlap upper, lower, left, and right non-display areas corresponding toan edge of the outer substrate 110; and a plurality of conductive linepatterns 132_L which are formed in a grid pattern form in a display areaexcept a pixel area PA so as to overlap with the gate line. In thiscase, each of the plurality of conductive line patterns 132_L isconnected, in a grid pattern form, between the first and secondconductive border patterns 132_E1 and 132_E2 (which are parallel to eachother) with the display area therebetween.

The non-reflective conductive pattern 132 according to anotherembodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 7B, may be formed at the top of theouter substrate 110 so as to overlap a gate line and a data line whichare formed at the inner surface of the outer substrate 110. That is, thenon-reflective conductive pattern 132 according to an embodimentincludes: first to fourth conductive border patterns 132_E1, 132_E2,132_E3 and 132_E4 which are formed in a tetragonal frame shape so as torespectively overlap the upper, lower, left, and right non-display areascorresponding to the edge of the outer substrate 110; and a plurality ofconductive lattice patterns 132_G which are formed in a lattice patternform in the display area except the pixel area PA so as to overlap thegate line and the data line. In this case, each of the plurality ofconductive lattice patterns 132_G is connected, in a lattice patternform, to the first to fourth conductive border patterns 132_E1, 132_E2,132_E3 and 132_E4 which surround the display area.

In the non-reflective conductive pattern 132 according to an embodimentand the non-reflective conductive pattern 132 according to anotherembodiment, the first conductive border pattern 132_E1 may overlap anupper non-display area of the outer substrate 110, the second conductiveborder pattern 132_E2 may overlap a lower non-display area of the outersubstrate 110, the third conductive border pattern 132_E3 may overlap aleft non-display area of the outer substrate 110, and the fourthconductive border pattern 132_E4 may overlap a right non-display area ofthe outer substrate 110. In this case, the second conductive borderpattern 132_E2 may overlap the pad part PP which is provided on theouter substrate 110, and the third and fourth conductive border patterns132_E3 and 132_E4 may overlap the gate driving circuit which is providedon the outer substrate 110.

The reflection reduction member 130 according to an embodiment of thepresent invention may further include a protective layer 134 that isformed on the outer substrate 110 to protect the non-reflectiveconductive pattern 132.

The protective layer 134 prevents the non-reflective conductive pattern132 from being damaged by a substrate manufacturing process that forms aTFT array (or a pixel array), connected to a gate line and a data line,on a bottom of the outer substrate 110. That is, when the TFT array isformed on the bottom of the outer substrate 110 and then the reflectionreduction member 130 is formed on a top of the outer substrate 110, theTFT array can be damaged by a manufacturing process of forming thereflection reduction member 130. In order to prevent the TFT array frombeing damaged, the reflection reduction member 130 is first formed onthe top of the outer substrate 110, and then, the TFT array is formed onthe bottom of the outer substrate 110. Therefore, in a TFT arraymanufacturing process, the reflection reduction member 130 contacts asubstrate transferring member or a substrate supporting member in aprocess of transferring or supporting the outer substrate 110, and thus,the protective layer 134 is applied for preventing the reflectionreduction member 130 from being damaged due to the contact.

The protective layer 134 according to an embodiment may be formed of amaterial having hardness of 9H or more. For example, the protectivelayer 134 may be formed of SiNx.

Four sides of the protective layer 134 may be formed to be separatedfrom the first inclined IP1 by a certain distance in order for a topedge of the reflection reduction member 130 to be coupled to the edgesealing member 500. Furthermore, the upper polarization member 140 isadhered to an entire front surface of the protective layer 134. In thiscase, the four sides of the protective layer 134 may be separated fromthe first inclined plane IP1 by a certain distance using a cuttingprocess (for example, a laser cutting process) of forming the secondinclined plane IP2 at four sides of the upper polarization member 140,and may have a fourth inclined plane IP4 having a fourth slope that isthe same as or different from the second slope.

In the display device according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention, since the entire front surface of the outer substrate 110 isexposed to the outside, and the panel driver 400 is adhered to thebottom of the outer substrate 110 and exposed to the outside, a separateexternal cover for covering the panel driver 400 is not needed.Therefore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, athickness of the display device, and a front step height of the displaydevice is removed, thereby obtaining an aesthetic design effect in whichthe front surface of the display device is recognized as one structure.Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, abezel configuring a border of the display device can be fully removed,or even when the bezel is formed an aesthetic appearance of the displaydevice can be enhanced compared to a related art display device sincethe width of the bezel is very small.

Moreover, according to an embodiment of the present invention, since thereflection reduction member 130 is formed of a conductive material onthe outer substrate 110 so as to be connected to each other, areflectivity of external light by the metal line formed on the outersubstrate 110 is reduced, and static electricity applied from theoutside is removed. Accordingly, visual characteristic which is shown inthe display panel can be enhanced, and a quality of an image can beprevented from being degraded due to an inflow of static electricity.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display panel in adisplay device according to a second embodiment of the presentinvention, and illustrates that an electricity removing layer isadditionally formed on an outer substrate. In describing the secondembodiment of the present invention, the same elements as those of thedisplay device according to the first embodiment are not described.Hereinafter, only the electricity removing layer will be described.

An electricity removing layer 640 according to an embodiment may beformed of a material, having high heat resistance, transparency,corrosion resistance which does not react with an etchant of a metalline, and stiffness, on the outer substrate 110 so as to cover thereflection reduction member 130 formed at the top of the outer substrate110, for removing static electricity applied from the outside to theinside of the display panel 100. The electricity removing layer 640according to an embodiment may have electrical conductivity of 10⁹ Ω/sqor less, for easily removal of static electricity, and as describedabove, the electricity removing layer 640 may have hardness of 8H ormore, for preventing the reflection reduction member 130 from beingdamaged by a physical contact which occurs in a process of manufacturinga TFT array. For example, the electricity removing layer 640 may beformed of a transparent metal oxide material, a transparent organicconductive material, or indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO). Here, examplesof the electricity removing layer formed of a transparent organicconductive material may include a graphene-polymer composite layer, agraphene-metal particle layer, or an organic transparent conductivelayer.

The reflection reduction member 130 may include the non-reflectiveconductive pattern 132, or include the non-reflective conductive pattern132 and the protective layer 134. Therefore, the electricity removinglayer 640 according to an embodiment may be formed on the outersubstrate 110 so as to cover the reflection reduction member 130including only the non-reflective conductive pattern 132, or may beformed on the outer substrate 110 so as to cover the protective layer134 of the reflection reduction member 130.

The electricity removing layer 640 according to another embodiment, asillustrated in FIG. 9, may be formed on the outer substrate 110 so as tocover the reflection reduction member 130 formed on the top of the outersubstrate 110, and may be formed of a multilayer including a transparentconductive layer 642 and a protective layer 644.

The transparent conductive layer 642 may be formed on the outersubstrate 110 so as to cover the reflection reduction member 130including only the non-reflective conductive pattern 132, and may beformed of Zn, In, or Sn-based oxide. The transparent conductive layer642 may protect the non-reflective conductive pattern 132, and removestatic electricity applied from the outside to the outer substrate 110.

The protective layer 644 may be formed on the outer substrate so as tocover the transparent conductive layer 642, and as described above, theprotective layer 644 may have hardness of 8H or more, for protecting thetransparent conductive layer 642 and preventing the reflection reductionmember 130 from being damaged by a physical contact which occurs in aprocess of manufacturing a TFT array. For example, the protective layer644 may be formed of SiNx.

Four sides of the electricity removing layer 640 according to anembodiment and another embodiment may be formed to be separated from thefirst inclined IP1 or the third inclined IP3 by a certain distance inorder for a top edge of the reflection reduction member 130 to becoupled to the edge sealing member 500. Furthermore, the upperpolarization member 140 is adhered to an entire front surface of theelectricity removing layer 640. In this case, the four sides of theelectricity removing layer 640 may be separated from the first inclinedplane IP1 by a certain distance in a cutting process (for example, alaser cutting process) of forming the second inclined plane IP2 at foursides of the upper polarization member 140, and may have the fourthinclined plane IP4 having a fourth slope that is the same as ordifferent from the second slope.

The electricity removing layer 640 according to an embodiment is formedon the outer substrate 110 so as to cover the reflection reductionmember 130, is electrically and directly connected to the edge sealingmember 500, and is electrically connected to the edge sealing member 500through the top edge of the reflection reduction member 130, therebydischarging static electricity, applied from the outside, to the panelsupporting part 400 through the edge sealing member 500. Accordingly, aquality of an image can be prevented from being degraded due to staticelectricity.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display panel in adisplay device according to a third embodiment of the present invention,and illustrates that unlike the display device according to the secondembodiment of the present invention, a reflection reduction member 730is formed on the inner surface of the outer substrate 110, and anelectricity removing layer 740 is formed on the top of the outersubstrate 110. In describing the third embodiment of the presentinvention, the same elements as those of the display device according tothe preceding embodiments are not described. Hereinafter, only thereflection reduction member 730 and the electricity removing layer 740will be described.

The reflection reduction member 730 according to an embodiment includesa non-conductive pattern which is formed between a gate line GL and theinner surface of the outer substrate, and minimizes or preventsreflection of external light (which passes through the outer substrate110) by the gate line GL. In this case, the non-conductive pattern maybe formed of a non-conductive material. For example, the non-conductivematerial may be a black material, polyamide, or a light-absorbingmaterial. Here, the light-absorbing material may contain amorphoussilicon (a-Si). Generally, since a-Si has high light absorptivity, a-Siis used to convert solar energy into electrical energy, and has about100 times higher light absorptivity than that of crystalline silicon.

The reflection reduction member 730 according to an embodiment may beadditionally formed between a data line DL and the inner surface of theouter substrate 110, for minimizing or preventing reflection of externallight by the data line DL. In this case, a gate insulating layer 113 isformed between the reflection reduction member 730 and the data line.

The electricity removing layer 740 may be formed of a transparent metaloxide material, a transparent organic conductive material, or indiumgallium zinc oxide (IGZO) on the entire front surface of the outersubstrate 110, or may be formed of a multilayer including a transparentconductive layer and a protective layer. Here, an example of a materialforming the electricity removing layer 740 may include a black pigmentor a colored pigment.

Four sides of the electricity removing layer 740 may be formed to have afifth inclined plane IP5 having a fifth slope, which is the same as anddifferent from the first slope, by using a chamfer process of formingthe first inclined plane IP1 at each of upper corners of the outersubstrate 110. Furthermore, the upper polarization member 140 is adheredto an entire front surface of the electricity removing layer 740. Inthis case, in order to prevent the upper polarization member 140 frombeing stripped, the four sides of the upper polarization member 140 maybe separated from the first inclined plane IP1 by a certain distance ina cutting process (for example, a laser cutting process) of forming thesecond inclined plane IP2 at the four sides of the upper polarizationmember 140. Therefore, an upper edge of the electricity removing layer740 is exposed to the outside by the fifth inclined plane IP5 of theupper polarization member 140 which is separated from the first inclinedplane IP1 of the outer substrate 110, and covered by the edge sealingmember 500, and thus, the four sides and upper edge of the electricityremoving layer 740 are electrically connected to the edge sealing member500.

The display device according to the third embodiment of the presentinvention can obtain the same aesthetic design effect as that of thedisplay devices according to the first and second embodiments of thepresent invention. According to the third embodiment, the reflectionreduction member 730 is formed between the outer substrate 110 and themetal line, and the electricity removing layer 740 is formed on thefront surface of the outer substrate 110. Therefore, a reflectivity ofexternal light by the metal line formed on the outer substrate 110 isreduced, and static electricity applied from the outside is removed.Accordingly, visual characteristic shown in the display panel 100 can beenhanced, and a quality of an image can be prevented from being degradeddue to an inflow of static electricity.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display panel in adisplay device according to a fourth embodiment of the presentinvention, and illustrates that unlike the display device according tothe third embodiment of the present invention, a reflection reductionmember 830 is formed of a low-reflection metal material, and a blockinglayer 111 is additionally formed between a gate line GL and thereflection reduction member 830 formed of the low-reflection metalmaterial. In describing the fourth embodiment of the present invention,the elements same as those of the display device according to the thirdembodiment are not described. Hereinafter, only the reflection reductionmember 830 and the blocking layer 111 will be described.

The reflection reduction member 830 includes a conductive pattern. Inthis case, the conductive pattern may be formed of a conductive metalmaterial, and particularly, may be formed in a stacked structure havingtwo or more layers including an oxide layer 832 and a metal layer 834,for reducing reflectivity. For example, the reflection reduction member830 may be formed in a two-layer structure having the oxide layer 832and the metal layer 834. As another example, the reflection reductionmember 830 may be formed in a three-layer structure having a first metallayer, an oxide layer, and a second metal layer, in which case the firstand second metal layers may be formed of the same material or differentmaterials. As another example, the reflection reduction member 830 maybe formed in a three-layer structure having a first oxide layer, a metallayer, and a second oxide layer, in which case the first and secondoxide layers may be formed of the same material or different materials.In the reflection reduction member 830, the oxide layer 832 may includeZn, In, or Sn-based oxide, and the metal layer 834 may include oneselected from Cu, Mo, Ti, Mo/Ti, and Cr.

The blocking layer 111 is formed on the inner surface of the outersubstrate 110 so as to cover the reflection reduction member 830 formedon the inner surface of the outer substrate 110, and electricallyinsulates the gate line GL from the reflection reduction member 830. Theblocking layer 111 may be formed of an insulating material. For example,the blocking layer 111 may be formed of SiNx to have a thickness of 0.1um to 0.5 um. As another example, the blocking layer 111 may be formedof a high heat-resistant organic material or an organic materialcontaining a pigment/dye, and an example of the organic material mayinclude a siloxane-based or polyimide-based material. The blocking layer111 performs a function of a planarizing layer that planarizes the innersurface of the outer substrate 110 in which the reflection reductionmember 830 is formed.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display panel in adisplay device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention,and illustrates that unlike the display device according to the secondembodiment of the present invention, a reflection reduction member 930is formed of a semitransparent material, and a gate line GL having atwo-layer structure is formed on the reflection reduction member 930. Indescribing the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the sameelements as those of the display device according to the firstembodiment are not described. Hereinafter, only the reflection reductionmember 930 and the gate line GL will be described.

The reflection reduction member 930 is formed between the gate line GLand the inner surface of the outer substrate 110, and minimizes orprevents reflection of external light by the gate line GL passing theouter substrate 110 through destructive interference of light. Thereflection reduction member 930 may be formed of one selected fromindium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), zinc oxide (ZnO), IGZO,aluminum zinc oxide (AZO), In₂O₃, Ga₂O₃—In₂O₃, ZnO:B, and ZnO—In₂O₃.

The gate line GL may be formed of a low-resistance metal material, andfor example, may be formed of first and second metal layers M1 and M2selected from Al, AlNd, Cu, copper alloy, CuNd, Mo, molybdenum alloy,and MoTi. For example, the first metal layer M1 may be formed of Mo/Tion the reflection reduction member 930, and the second metal layer M2may be formed of Cu.

According to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, asillustrated in FIG. 13, some of external light EL incident on the outersubstrate 110 is reflected as first reflection light RL1 by thereflection reduction member 930, and the other of the external light ELwhich passes through the reflection reduction member 930 without beingreflected by the reflection reduction member 930 passes through thereflection reduction member 930, and is reflected as second reflectionlight RL2 by the first metal layer M1. However, the first and secondreflection lights RL1 and RL2 are dissipated through destructiveinterference. To this end, a thickness of the reflection reductionmember 930 is set so that the first and second reflection lights RL1 andRL2 are dissipated by destructive interference caused by a phasedifference therebetween.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display panel in adisplay device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention,and illustrates that unlike the display devices according to the thirdto fifth embodiments of the present invention, the electricity removinglayer 140 is formed on an upper polarization member 940. In describingthe sixth embodiment of the present invention, the same elements asthose of the display devices according to the third to fifth embodimentsare not described. Hereinafter, only the upper polarization member 940will be described.

In the display devices according to the third to fifth embodiments, theelectricity removing layer 140 for removing static electricity appliedfrom the outside to the display panel is formed on the top of the outersubstrate 110. However, according to the sixth embodiment of the presentinvention, the electricity removing layer 140 is not formed on the topof the outer substrate 110 but is formed at the upper polarizationmember 940.

The upper polarization member 940 may include an electricity removingfilm 942, a lower protective film 944, a polarizing film 946, and anupper protective film 948.

The electricity removing film 942 includes an electricity removing layerformed of a transparent conductive material, which may be arsenic (As).However, the present embodiment is not limited thereto.

The lower protective film 944 and the upper protective film 948 areformed with the polarizing film 946 therebetween, and protects thepolarizing film 946.

The polarizing film 946 includes a polarizer that polarizes incidentlight. A poly vinyl alcohol film is dyed with iodine, and is drawn in aspecific direction, thereby forming the polarizing film 946. Thepolarizing film 946 absorbs light which is incident in a drawndirection, but transmits light which is incident in a direction verticalto the drawn direction, thereby polarizing substantially incident light.

The upper polarization member 940 is adhered to the front surface of theouter substrate 110 through an adhesive layer 941 which is formed at abottom of the electricity removing film 942.

Four sides of the upper polarization member 940 may be formed to have asixth inclined plane IP6 having the same slope as that of the firstinclined plane IP1 by using a chamfer process of forming the firstinclined plane IP1 at each of corners of the outer substrate 110.Therefore, the electricity removing layer of the upper polarizationmember 940 according to an embodiment is electrically connected to theedge sealing member 500 that covers a portion of the sixth inclinedplane IP6.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display panel and anexternal cover in a display device according to a seventh embodiment ofthe present invention, and illustrates that unlike the display devicesaccording to the first to fifth embodiments of the present invention, aconductive strap 1100 is additionally formed. In describing the seventhembodiment of the present invention, the elements same as those of thedisplay devices according to the first to fifth embodiments are notdescribed. Hereinafter, only the conductive strap 1100 will bedescribed.

In the display devices according to the first and second embodiments ofthe present invention, the conductive strap 1100 according to anembodiment is provided as at least one on each side of the outersubstrate 110, and electrically connects the non-reflective conductivepattern 132 of the reflection reduction member 140 to the side cover 444of the external cover 440. In this case, one side of the conductivestrap 1100 may be adhered to the non-reflective conductive pattern 132exposed at the upper edge of the outer substrate 110, and the other ofthe conductive strap 1100 may pass through a lower portion of the edgesealing member 500, and may be adhered to an inner surface of the sidecover 444 by a conductive coupling member 1200.

In the display devices according to the third to fifth embodiments ofthe present invention, the conductive strap 1100 according to anotherembodiment is provided as at least one on each side of the outersubstrate 110, and electrically connects the electricity removing layer640 (740) to the side cover 444 of the external cover 440. In this case,one side of the conductive strap 1100 may be adhered to the theelectricity removing layer 640 (740) exposed at the upper edge of theouter substrate 110, and the other of the conductive strap 1100 may passthrough the lower portion of the edge sealing member 500, and may beadhered to the inner surface of the side cover 444 by the conductivecoupling member 1200.

The conductive coupling member 1200 may be a double-sided tape formed ofa metal material, or may be a screw that directly connects the otherside of the conductive strap 1100 to the inner surface of the side cover444.

According to the seventh embodiment of the present invention, since thenon-reflective conductive pattern 132 or electricity removing layer 640(740) of the reflection reduction member 140 is electrically connectedto the external cover 440 through the conductive strap 1100, the edgesealing member 500 may be formed of an adhesive material such as asilicon-based or UV-hardening sealant (or resin) without a conductivemember, but considering a tack time, the edge sealing member 500 may beformed of a UV-hardening sealant. Also, the edge sealing member 500 maybe colorless (or transparent) or colored (for example, blue, red, bluishgreen, or black), but is not limited thereto. A color of the edgesealing member 500 may be selected depending on a design of the displaydevice, and in order to prevent a side light leakage of the displaypanel by the total internal reflection of the inner substrate 120, theedge sealing member 500 may be formed of a colored resin or a lightblocking resin. When the edge sealing member 500 does not include aconductive member, the edge sealing member 500 may not contact the sidecover 444 of the external cover 440.

Hereinabove, the LCD device has been mainly described as an example, butthe display device according to the embodiments of the present inventionis not limited to the LCD device. Examples of the display deviceaccording to the embodiments of the present invention may includevarious flat panel display devices such as organic light emittingdisplay devices. For example, when the display device is an organiclight emitting display device, an encapsulating substrate (not shown)instead of the inner substrate 120 is coupled to the bottom of the outersubstrate 110, and the encapsulating substrate (not shown) does notinclude a color filter layer and a black matrix. The encapsulatingsubstrate (not shown) may be formed of an opaque material such asaluminum foil or stainless steel in addition to transparent plastic orglass. Since the organic light emitting display device is aself-emitting device, the organic light emitting display device does notinclude the backlight unit 200.

The display device according to the embodiments of the present inventionmay be applied to notebook computers, tablet computers, and variousportable information devices, in addition to televisions and monitors.

As described above, since the entire front surface of the outersubstrate is exposed to the outside and the panel driver is adhered tothe bottom of the outer substrate and exposed to the outside, a separateexternal cover for covering the panel driver is not needed. Therefore, athickness of the display device is reduced, and a front step height ofthe display device is removed, thereby obtaining an aesthetic designeffect in which the front surface of the display device is recognized asone structure.

Moreover, a bezel configuring the border of the display device can befully removed, or although the bezel is formed, since a width of thebezel is very small, an aesthetic appearance of the display device canbe enhanced compared to a related art display device.

Moreover, the reflection reduction member is formed on the outersubstrate, and thus, a reflectivity of external light by the metal line(which is formed on the outer substrate) is reduced, thereby enhancingvisual characteristic which is shown in the display panel.

Moreover, the electricity removing layer is formed on the outersubstrate along with the reflection reduction member, and thus reduces areflectivity of external light and removes static electricity appliedfrom the outside. Accordingly, visual characteristic which is shown inthe display panel can be enhanced, and a quality of an image can beprevented from being degraded due to an inflow of static electricity.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the present inventionwithout departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thus, itis intended that the present invention covers the modifications andvariations of this invention provided they come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display device including a display panelincluding a display area and a non-display area surrounding the displayarea, and a panel driver connected to the display panel in thenon-display area of the display panel, the display panel comprising: anouter substrate configured to include a gate line and a data line thatintersect with each other; an inner substrate coupled to a bottom of theouter substrate; and a reflection reduction member formed between theouter substrate and one selected from the gate line and the data line,and configured to reduce a reflectivity of external light by a line. 2.The display device of claim 1, further comprising an upper polarizationmember formed on the top of the outer substrate, wherein the upperpolarization member includes an electricity removing film, whichincludes an electricity removing layer, and a polarizing film thatpolarizes light.
 3. The display device of claim 1, wherein thereflection reduction member is formed of one material selected from ablack material, polyamide, and a light-absorbing material.
 4. Thedisplay device of claim 1, further comprising a blocking layer formed onan inner surface of the outer substrate to cover the reflectionreduction member, wherein the blocking layer electrically insulates thegate line and the data line from the reflection reduction member.
 5. Thedisplay device of claim 4, further comprising an upper polarizationmember formed on the top of the outer substrate, wherein the upperpolarization member includes an electricity removing film, whichincludes an electricity removing layer, and a polarizing film thatpolarizes light.
 6. The display device of claim 4, wherein thereflection reduction member is formed in a stacked structure includingtwo or more layers which include an oxide layer and a metal layer. 7.The display device of claim 6, wherein the oxide layer is formed of Zn,In, or Sn-based oxide.
 8. The display device of claim 6, wherein themetal layer is formed of one metal material selected from Cu, Mo, Ti,Mo/Ti, and Cr.
 9. The display device of claim 1, wherein, the reflectionreduction member is formed of a semitransparent material, and the gateline comprises first and second metal layers formed of differentmaterials on the reflection reduction member.
 10. The display device ofclaim 9, further comprising an upper polarization member formed on thetop of the outer substrate, wherein the upper polarization memberincludes an electricity removing film, which includes an electricityremoving layer, and a polarizing film that polarizes light.
 11. Thedisplay device of claim 1, further comprising an electricity removinglayer formed on the top of the outer substrate.
 12. The display deviceof claim 11, wherein, the electricity removing layer is formed of onematerial selected from a transparent metal oxide material, a transparentorganic conductive material, and indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO), orthe electricity removing layer is formed of a multilayer including atransparent conductive layer and a protective layer.
 13. The displaydevice of claim 11, further comprising: an edge sealing member formed ateach of sides of the display panel; and a panel supporting partconfigured to include an outer cover that surrounds each side of thedisplay panel, in which the edge sealing member is formed, withoutprotruding to a front surface of the display panel.
 14. The displaydevice of claim 13, wherein the edge sealing member comprises aconductive member, and electrically connects the outer cover to at leastone selected from the reflection reduction member and the electricityremoving layer.
 15. The display device of claim 14, wherein the edgesealing member covers an upper edge of the reflection reduction memberor an upper edge of the electricity removing layer.
 16. The displaydevice of claim 14, wherein the edge sealing member covers each side ofthe inner substrate, an entire upper edge and an entire side of thereflection reduction member.
 17. The display device of claim 13, furthercomprising a conductive strap configured to electrically connect theouter cover to at least one selected from the reflection reductionmember and the electricity removing layer, wherein one side of theconductive strap is covered by the edge sealing member, and another sideof the conductive strap is electrically connected to an inner surface ofthe outer cover through the edge sealing member.